Virginia Lawmaker Proposes Fuel Tax Increase Instead of Tolls

Virginia State Sen. John Watkins rolled out his new transportation funding plan that will raise the gas tax, lower the income tax, and eliminate tax credits and exemptions. The plan includes a 14-cent per gallon fuel tax increase that Watkins said would raise about $734 million and avoid tolls proposed by Gov. Bob McDonnell to pay for road construction. Watkins said he will propose the legislation in January.

Several Virginia state groups, including the Virginia Municipal League, have publicly opposed Gov. McDonnell's plan to toll Interstate 95 in Virginia. In addition, the Virginia Association of Counties recently raised concerns with the Governor’s plan and included language in their 2013 legislative program to require the approval of the General Assembly to toll I-95.

Photo Credit: Amy Toner/NATSO

This article originally ran inNATSO News Weekly(NNW), NATSO's member only weekly electronic newsletter. NNW is packed with the latest updates on government and business issues affecting the truckstop and travel plaza industry.